Navman S30 3D review

The Navman S30 3D makes a valiant attempt to distinguish itself as a local travel guide rather than a point-to-point navigation tool with the addition of 3D landmarks and its strong directory listings

By
Rosemary Haworth
| Jul 22, 2008|

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Navman Navman S30 3D Specs

Personal satellite navigation device

3.5in (320X240-pixel) touchscreen display

SirfStar III GPS receiver

400MHz Samsung processor

32MB RAM

2567MB internal memory

SD/MMC card slot

SmartST 2008 navigation software

TeleAtlas UK and Ireland maps

full 8-digit postcode search

2D and 3D map views

Local Search (Navman Connect) via PC

customizable POIs

intelligent speed camera alerts

selected 3D rendering of city landmarks

weight 161g

dimensions: 112x78x20mm.

Rating

Navman Navman S30 3D Price

RRP: 99

The Navman S30 3D is the entry-level model in Navman's new range of personal navigation devices. It has a 3.5in display which, after having used the larger 4.3in widescreen models, we found a little cramped. This is particularly so as the default settings include some usefully large onscreen icons that take up quite a margin on the left and right. The other two models in the new range are both larger-screened, however, so this is less likely to be an issue on either the S50 or S70 3D.

The other main difference with the S30 3D is that it comes with UK and Ireland maps but none of central Europe. You can buy these as an SD card add-on, along with a TMC real-time traffic receiver module, if you wish.

The 3D range is the first fruit of Navman’s buyout by Mio and its parent company Mitac. The two formerly rival satnav brands have now aligned their products, with the Navman name and line-up being retained in the UK, while the underlying technology and software is shared between the two. The most notable difference between the old Navman and the new Navman kit is that it comes with a chunkier cigarette lighter connector.

The black and silver design of the unit itself is the same and you get the same clear TeleAtlas maps with an indication of which way and which exit you’ll be taking next and how far it is until the turning.

At the top right is an indicator for how many more miles you’ll be staying on the same road, along with the name of that road. We decided the name of the road you’re currently traveling along would seem a more logical piece of information to provide. The centre of the screen shows the road you’re on and your progress along it in a thick green line while roads you pass and that are within the display area are in a subdued grey with thinner lines.